Starter Jay Cutler signed a seven-year contract extension in January that should keep him with the Bears for at least the next three seasons. Veteran Jordan Palmer re-signed to compete for the backup spot, but he has appeared in only four games and thrown only 15 passes with the last one in 2010. By comparison, Josh McCown, last season's successful backup, entered 2013 with 645 career passes and 33 starts. Roster hopeful Jerrod Johnson spent 18 days on the Bears' practice squad in September.

The Bears committed to Cutler as their starter, but Palmer's inexperience could prompt them to draft another backup candidate on Day 3. Johnson is a developmental player, but the Bears are his fourth NFL team and he turns 26 in July. General manager Phil Emery has said he would like to draft a quarterback each year. Whether coach Marc Trestman desires to mold a young prospect is a wild card. The Bears must weigh the cost of investing a draft pick in a quarterback with some veteran free-agent options remaining.

Top prospect

Blake Bortles, Central Florida

6-5, 232 pounds

Worth a look: Bortles is our pick for the best quarterback in a class about which there's much debate. He has prototypical size and sufficient arm strength. He keeps his eyes downfield against the rush, and his pocket presence is good. His mobility makes him a threat to run and helps him extend plays. He has proven late-game and road success from college.

Stay away: Quarterback-needy teams picking in the top 10 might pass on Bortles because he is unproven in an offense that requires downfield throws and reads. He excelled in college making short, lateral throws. Former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M might be drafted higher because of how he excels on broken plays, his athleticism and charisma.

Intriguing options

Zach Mettenberger, LSU

6-5, 224 pounds

Worth a look: Mettenberger has some quality physical tools that should appeal to Trestman on Day 3. His height is prototypical and his arm strength is well regarded. Last season under coordinator Cam Cameron, a former NFL head coach and offensive coordinator, Mettenberger improved his pre-snap reads and decision making. He proved he can make the downfield throws required in an NFL offense.

Stay away: Evaluators note a sharp dropoff in his mechanics and accuracy when pressured. He's not mobile, and he tore the ACL in his left knee in November. He pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery in 2010. The incident, in which he groped a woman at a bar while intoxicated, prompted the University of Georgia to dismiss him from its team.

Stephen Morris, Miami

6-2, 213 pounds

Worth a look: Morris is a developmental prospect, which means the level of draft pick investment should be low. His athleticism helps him extend plays, and he's capable of improvising with his arm slot. His decision-making is good when the pocket is clean. His arm is strong enough to fit throws into tight windows.

Stay away: His collegiate completion percentage was only 57.7, and there's substantial evidence that such inaccurate quarterbacks don't succeed in the NFL.

Aaron Murray, Georgia

6-1, 207 pounds

Worth a look: Murray, a Day 3 prospect, is experienced, having started all four years. His leadership, toughness and intelligence would be assets in a supportive and developmental role in any quarterback room. He has a quick release and has proven himself in late-game situations.

Stay away: His height is problematic, contributing to batted balls at the line of scrimmage. He tore the ACL in his left knee in November. His arm strength is not an asset.

Sleeper

Connor Shaw, South Carolina

6-0, 206 pounds

Worth a look: Shaw went 27-5 in three years as a starter. He improved as a decision-maker as his career progressed. He keeps his eyes downfield against the rush, although he will tuck the ball and run too quickly at times. He's a charismatic, gritty competitor known for his strong work ethic and devotion to film study

Stay away: Shaw does not have a strong arm. He lacks ideal height. Durability questions follow him because of an injury history that includes multiple shoulder and foot problems.

This supposedly was the season of the Blah Big Ten. But with the conference making up 50 percent of the Final Four, the Big Ten office would be quite justified in sending out a one-word press release: "Ha!"